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really

/ˈri(ə)li/
/ˈrɪəli/
IPA guide

The adverb really refers to something actual or genuine. If your ring is really pure gold, does that mean he really likes you?

Although the actual origin of really is unknown, it was first used in the 15th Century in the Eucharist, referring to the actual presence of Christ, and that definition holds today. Another use of the word, that of a questioning interjection ("Oh, really?"), was first recorded in 1815 and carries with it a sense of disbelief. Oh, really? You're late to work because the bus was attacked by a pack of wild boars? Do you really expect your boss to believe that?

Definitions of really
  1. adverb
    in actual fact
    synonyms: actually
  2. adverb
    in accordance with truth or fact or reality
    “they don't really listen to us”
    synonyms: genuinely, truly
  3. adverb
    in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers)
    really, you shouldn't have done it”
    synonyms: in truth, truly
  4. adverb
    used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal
    “a really enjoyable evening”
    synonyms: rattling, real, very
Pronunciation
US
/ˈri(ə)li/
UK
/ˈrɪəli/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘really'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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